Running towards a healthier life
Why running?
This question is easy to answer:
Because there are many proven reasons that running improves your health if you do it the right way.
"Running is nothing for me."
"My body is not made for running."
"Running hurts."
"I'm too old for running"
Have you ever heard or used that excuses?
The truth is: EVERY BODY can run!
As long as you listen to your body and guide it through the starting process.
When I started running nearly 10 years ago, I have to admit, I needed two attempts to really get into it. At the first trial I was very enthusiastic and thought running is easy and you can't make mistakes, because I was told, everybody can run. It was end of summer, perfect running conditions. So I jumped into my new runners and went for a run. No experience, no cardiovascular training before. After ten minutes my heartbeat was up in the sky, breathing was hard and I had to take a break. I went every second day for four weeks and couldn't see any improvements. It was devastating ... then the weather got worse, cold and rainy and my motivation decreased. When winter approached I had the best excuses for not going out and I decided: running is nothing for me.
But then spring came and one of my friends, a passionate marathoner and running lover offered me his coaching service to learn how to start running the right way with the goal to finally love running. And I thought, well, let's give it a second chance. We started with a combination of walking and running, increased the running part very slowly and jogged with a pace I thought I didn't move. He taught me running techniques, I learnt how to properly breath and listen to my heart and I really enjoyed my success. Nothing hurt, we could talk during the run and my body slowly adapted to the new form of movement. I equipped myself with beneficial sporting gear, especially a heart rate monitor.
Since then I joined a lot of running events - fun races and half marathons - all with the focus on the health benefits that running has to body and mind.
This question is easy to answer:
Because there are many proven reasons that running improves your health if you do it the right way.
"Running is nothing for me."
"My body is not made for running."
"Running hurts."
"I'm too old for running"
Have you ever heard or used that excuses?
The truth is: EVERY BODY can run!
As long as you listen to your body and guide it through the starting process.
When I started running nearly 10 years ago, I have to admit, I needed two attempts to really get into it. At the first trial I was very enthusiastic and thought running is easy and you can't make mistakes, because I was told, everybody can run. It was end of summer, perfect running conditions. So I jumped into my new runners and went for a run. No experience, no cardiovascular training before. After ten minutes my heartbeat was up in the sky, breathing was hard and I had to take a break. I went every second day for four weeks and couldn't see any improvements. It was devastating ... then the weather got worse, cold and rainy and my motivation decreased. When winter approached I had the best excuses for not going out and I decided: running is nothing for me.
But then spring came and one of my friends, a passionate marathoner and running lover offered me his coaching service to learn how to start running the right way with the goal to finally love running. And I thought, well, let's give it a second chance. We started with a combination of walking and running, increased the running part very slowly and jogged with a pace I thought I didn't move. He taught me running techniques, I learnt how to properly breath and listen to my heart and I really enjoyed my success. Nothing hurt, we could talk during the run and my body slowly adapted to the new form of movement. I equipped myself with beneficial sporting gear, especially a heart rate monitor.
Since then I joined a lot of running events - fun races and half marathons - all with the focus on the health benefits that running has to body and mind.
From my experience
1. Running makes you happier No matter how good or bad you feel at any given moment, exercise will make you feel better. Regular physical activity protects you against anxiety and depression, studies have shown. Moderate exercise may help to cope with anxiety and stress even, according to a 2012 study published in Medicine and Science in Sports & Exercise. A 2012 study in the Journal of Adolescent Health proved that just 30 minutes of running during the week for three weeks boosted sleep quality, mood, and concentration during the day. 2. Running strengthens joints and bones 'Running is bad for your knees' is actually a myth. Yes, it can damage your knees like any other sport you exaggerate. Knowing your limits and what is good for you is essential. It’s long been known that running increases bone mass, and even helps stem age-related bone loss. So with the proper technique and regularity you will only benefit. Osteoarthritis (the most common type of arthritis), occurs when joint-cushioning cartilage starts to break down. And the biggest risk factor for that is body weight. Running bolsters your cartilage by increasing oxygen flow and flushing out toxins, and by strengthening the ligaments around your joints. 3. Running helps you loose weight and keeps you sharper when ageing Running is one of the best forms of exercise for losing or maintaining a consistent weight. You will find that it is a leading way to burn off extra calories and that it is the second most effective exercise in terms of calories burned per minute, following only after cross country skiing. Because running also builds muscle mass, your resting metabolism will increase, which means that you'll burn more calories at rest. If you combine running with a healthy diet, you'll definitely notice a difference in the way you look and feel - no matter what age. 4. Running can prevent you from diseases Most experts agree that regular exercise reduces the risk of many kinds of cancer, including some of the scariest: colon, breast, endometrial, and lung. One recent study in the British Journal of Cancer calculated that the "most active" (e.g. walked briskly 5-6 hours/week) people were 24 percent less likely to develop colon cancer than the "least active" people (e.g. 30 minutes of walking/week). In a study by the National Cancer Institute, women of a normal weight who reported the highest levels of "vigorous activity" (running, tennis, aerobics) had about a 30 percent lower risk of breast cancer when compared with women who did no vigorous activity. Becoming a regular runner may help you cancer-proof your life. Joggers also have a leg up against heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, and running has been shown to lower blood pressure, raise good cholesterol, and boost immunity to colds and other viruses. Interested in learning how to run for fun and health?
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